[1] Roman coinage
In the Roman system of weights and measures the bes (binae partes assis) represents 2/3 (8/12) of the as and, on the basis of the Roman pound (327.45 g), weighs 218.30 g [1. 72]. In Roman minting the bes was stamped with S as its symbol of value; only issued by C. Cassius in 126 BC in bronze (with the head of Liber/prora) [2. 290].
As; Small coin, shortage of; Libra
Bibliography
1 Schrötter, s.v. Bes
2 M. H. Crawford, Roman Republican Coin…